Super Tuesday in Otago

Today was a fantastic day, particularly for the birders, including Zosia and me. We gathered at our hosts home for tea and then to a park overlooking the inlet and the city. Jumping into our carpools we headed up the Otago peninsula to the tip that is now the only mainland Royal Albatross sanctuary where the breeding season has begun. We had hopes that we might catch a view of the bird flying around, but no guarantee because they would be sitting on the eggs. After a super enthusiastic presentation from our Guide, Mary, a Maori princess, we walked outside where the Albatrosses were flying all over the place with their 11 foot wing span. We had to walk up the steep hill through the nesting colony of the red-billed gulls squawking, arguing, and mating (how exciting they were 2 feet away). More Albatrosses, and they just kept coming. We toured the interior of the mountain which had been used as a fortification for the inlet since the 1880's (protecting against the Russians?). It was an interesting tour of the tunnels containing cannons; Mary was very proud and just as enthusiastic of this heritage.

We did more birding and then off to one of the Host's crib (summer home) for lunch with hosts and ambassadors.

We had opted for the buggy ride to see the penguins. Zosia and I had envisioned a horse and carriage - no - it was an all eight-wheel drive, brakes, and steering all terrain $500,000 vehicle driven by Perry the owner of the mountain on the ocean who joked about everything. It was like a roller coaster ride off-roading through mud, water, and down steep slopes. We were hooting and hollering all the way entertained by Perry's enthusiasm. The fur seals were at times two feet away, and we saw the blue and yellow-faced penguins on the sheer cliffs of the oceanside. Perry was very protective of the animals, and if you didn't obey his demands to be silent when near the animals he wouldn't show you more. We ended with a 360 degree spin and a sheep sheering demonstration. Perry said that it really hurt him when he turned down the latest offer to sell his 640 acres for $50M. This was what he loved and wanted to preserve this for his sons/grandchildren. Not bad for a sixth generation sheep farmer. www.natureswondersnaturally.com

Next we dropped by a Maori church where our exchange director host's husband was buried - he was a Maori King. Then back home for a quick nap and then a really nice dinner with 12 people at Jane's home. This is such a wonderful way to see a country. It was a super day.